Open Cluster in Scutum
The small constellation Scutum, the shield, contains two Messier objects. The very rich Wild Duck Cluster (M11) is one, and Messier 26 is the other. This open cluster contains over 100 stars. As is obvious from this image, the cluster is located against a background of a very rich section of the Milky Way.
| Magnitude | 8.0 |
| Apparent Size | 7' |
| Distance (light yrs) | 5,400 |
| Right Ascension | 18:45.2 |
| Declination | -9 24 |
| Field of View | 28' x 21' |
Image details: Exposure times of 30 minutes luminance and 9 minutes each of red, green, and blue, taken with an SBIG ST-8300M imager and a 14" Meade LX850 telescope at f/6.
October 2014